What Is the History of Chevrolet?

The history of Chevrolet is vivid and even shrouded in a bit of mystery. Chevrolet is one of the oldest automotive manufacturers in the United States. It was founded on November 3, 1911 by race car driver Louis Chevrolet and GM founder William C. Durant.

The instantly recognizable Chevrolet “bowtie” was first used in 1914 on the H series models. However, there is a lot of mystery surrounding where Durant got the idea. Some say he was inspired by French wallpaper, others say it comes from the Swiss cross, and a third theory is it stems from a logo Durant saw in a newspaper. Wherever it came from, it is a symbol we all know and love today.

Even from its earliest days, the Chevrolet brand was a popular choice, especially due to affordable models like the Series 490. Within a few years, Durant was able to make enough money to buy back a controlling interest in General Motors and merged in Chevrolet as a separate brand.

Over the decades, Chevrolet continued to expand its lineup to include versatile, affordable options for the masses, while growing its performance lineup at the same time.